Baby hammock apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a baby hammock apparatus adapted to support a baby in a leaning/lying position, the apparatus comprising: a baby support subsystem having a flexible/elastic cloth sleeve, the flexible/elastic cloth sleeve having a generally cylindrical shape, a longitudinal axis, and two radial edges; a hammock hanging subsystem adapted to provide a secure and substantially vertical connection for the baby support subsystem; and two retaining edges respectively disposed along the two radial edges, with each retaining edge having a cord having a length therein, wherein the length of the cord is adjustable to allow for a range of sizes of babies and positions of the baby to be positioned in and supported in the baby hammock apparatus.

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61570327, filed 14 Dec. 2011, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to comfortably and safely supporting babies in general and specifically to a hammock apparatus to securely support babies.

There are many types of supports and/or hammocks for babies. Many of these supports have a rigid structure or are formed from an enclosure material that has no flexibility/elasticity. Some of these supports have one or more springs incorporated into their structure to allow vertical rocking—however these rigid supports have drawbacks, as opposed to a structure having a flexible/elastic cloth material:

The rigidity of a support limits the gentleness/softness of the vertical rocking motion in comparison to that provided by a flexible/elastic cloth material. The aspect of the rigidity of the support limits the calming effect, a result of the softness of rocking.

The rigidity of a support does not enable the baby support to be fitted exactly to the size and shape of the baby's body; while a flexible support takes on the shape of the baby and therefore supports the baby's body in an optimal fashion, while wrapping around the baby; typically serving to soothe many babies. It should be noted that only a flexible/elastic support allows the baby to be positioned in a curled, reclined position that resembles the position of a fetus in the womb.

Lying position adjustability for various positions—especially adjustability of the baby's head and legs—is limited by a rigid support design. Existing flexible/elastic support designs have their drawbacks compared to rigid supports. The openings of such supports tend to widen under the weight of a baby, and this may result in babies falling out of the support/hammock. Also, such flexible supports cannot be adjusted for different lying positions in any way. Examples of prior art, some incorporating flexible cloth material, include the following:

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,545 whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, Hoii describes an infant cradle comprising a support stand and a hammock that is suspended from the support stand. The support stand has a ground engaging base member, an upright member extending upwardly at an inclined angle in relation to the base member and a support member that extends away from the upright member. A spring is suspended from the support member, and in turn a hammock is suspended from the lower end of the spring. The hammock comprises a loop of sheet material which is gathered at the point where it is suspended from the spring. Second gathers are formed at either side of the spring, and the hammock is spread by a spreader bar that extends between the second gathers so as to hold the hammock open as it hangs from the spring. The upright member is inclined such that the hammock hangs substantially over the center of the base member.

Kerstetter, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,844, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a portable baby sleeping swing including a door attachment portion adapted for securement to a door jamb. A pair of springs each having upper ends secured to a hook. The hook is secured to the door attachment portion. The lower ends of the springs have a hook disposed therebetween. A hammock is secured to the hook on the lower ends of the pair of springs.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,258 whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, Barr describes a baby cradle, which is secured to a horizontally extending member of a movable baby cradle support or a joist beam of a ceiling by an eye hook secured to the horizontal member or joist beam of the ceiling. Secured within the eye hook is a snap swivel having two parts which are rotatable with respect to each other about a vertical axis. An eye opening of the snap swivel holds one end of a support spring and one end of a safety rope. At an opposite end of the support spring is a two inch diameter brass ring to which the opposite end of the spring is secured, as well as the opposite end of the safety rope. Preferably, the spring between the eye opening of the snap swivel and the brass ring located at its lower extremity is 8 ½ inches long and 1 inch wide. The safety rope, preferably ¼ inch nylon rope, extends through the center of the support spring and is of a preferable length of 2 feet.

Additional supports are described in:

-   -   http://www.google.com/search?q=Spring+supported%2C+hammock+t         ype+infant+cradle&tbm=shop&hl=en&aq=f ;and     -   http://www.babyhammocks.com/.

There is therefore a need to have a flexible/elastic hammock-like support for a baby that is both shapeable to the baby's size and body and which provides a preferably adjustable, simple, and secure closure, while enabling a soothing vertical rocking action for the baby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a baby hammock apparatus adapted to support a baby in a leaning/lying position, the apparatus comprising: a baby support subsystem having a flexible/elastic cloth sleeve, the flexible/elastic cloth sleeve having a generally cylindrical shape, a longitudinal axis, and two radial edges; a hammock hanging subsystem adapted to provide a secure and substantially vertical connection for the baby support subsystem; and two retaining edges respectively disposed along the two radial edges, with each retaining edge having a cord having a length therein, wherein the length of the cord is adjustable to allow for a range of sizes of babies and positions of the baby to be positioned in and supported in the baby hammock apparatus. Preferably, the flexible/elastic cloth sleeve is supportable by a lower retention clip, attachable to the hammock hanging subsystem, and by a horizontal stabilizer, which is adapted to define a main hammock section of the flexible/elastic cloth sleeve. Most preferably, the main hammock section is adapted to support the baby and the main hammock section is further configurable to be suspended beneath the horizontal stabilizer retaining edge. Typically, a cord retainer clip is configured to retain the cord at a point where the cord extends from the retaining edge. Most typically, at least one cord retainer clip is adjustable to alternatively shorten and lengthen the cord length, thereby affording adjustability to the main hammock section, which is further adapted to allow for a range of sizes of babies and positions of the baby to be supported therein.

According to the teachings of the present invention there is further provided a baby hammock apparatus adapted to support a baby in a leaning/lying position, the apparatus comprising: a baby support subsystem having a flexible/elastic cloth sleeve, the flexible/elastic cloth sleeve having a generally cylindrical shape, a longitudinal axis, and two radial edges; a hammock hanging subsystem adapted to provide a secure and substantially vertical connection for the baby support subsystem; and two retaining edges respectively disposed along the two radial edges, with each retaining edge comprising a bias tape, wherein the bias tape is adapted to securely support the baby in the hammock apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic pictorial representation of a flexible/elastic cloth sleeve, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are pictorial representations of a baby hammock apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the current invention; and

FIG. 4 is a detail view of part of the baby support subsystem shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The term “flexible/elastic”, when used in reference to a cloth and/or cloth/like material in the specification and claims which follow, is intended to mean a knitted cloth and/or cloth-like material which exhibits an elastic quality, allowing it to be stretched and to return to an initial unstretched state. An exemplary flexible/elastic material, inter alia, is a knitted material having a mixture of cotton and LYCRA® fiber, preferably in the approximate range of 80%-95% cotton, with the remainder substantially LYCRA®. Reference is presently made to FIG. 1, which is a schematic pictorial representation of the flexible/elastic cloth sleeve 5, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. Flexible/elastic cloth sleeve 5 has a generally cylindrical shape, having a longitudinal axis 6 and two radial edges 7. Retaining edges 9 are attached along the two radial edges, as described further hereinbelow. Flexible/elastic cloth sleeve 5 is typically configured in a flexible/non-rigid configuration, as described hereinbelow. Typically flexible/elastic cloth sleeve 5 has a longitudinal dimension of approximately 100 cm and a base radial dimension of approximately 25 cm, but larger and smaller sizes of flexible/elastic cloth sleeve 5 may be used.

Reference is presently made to FIGS. 2 and 3, which are pictorial representations of a baby hammock apparatus 10, in accordance with embodiments of the current invention. Apart from differences described below, flexible/elastic cloth sleeve 5 and retaining edges 9 are identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in FIG. 1, and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove. Baby hammock apparatus 10 includes a hammock hanging subsystem 12 and a baby support subsystem 14. Hammock hanging subsystem 12 provides a secure and substantially vertical connection for the baby support subsystem, as described hereinbelow. A baby (not shown in the figure) is typically supported in the baby hammock apparatus substantially in a leaning/lying position, with its body oriented substantially in the plane normal to the page, as described further hereinbelow.

The hammock hanging subsystem includes: an upper cord 18, which is typically connected to an upper retention clip 20; which is in turn mechanically connected to a vertical spring 22; which in turn is connected to a lower retention clip 24. Lower retention clip 24 has a spring latch (not shown in the figure) as known in the art. Upper-cord 18 is typically a rope or similar flexible but strong material. Upper cord 18 is attached (typically by tying) to a strong and fixed support (not shown in the figure) to allow the baby hammock apparatus to securely hang freely (i.e. movements from side to side are possible). Vertical spring 22 is a spring, as known in the art, allowing for a gentle, rocking, substantially vertically oriented motion to be imparted to baby support subsystem 14.

Baby support subsystem 14 includes the flexible/elastic cloth sleeve of FIG. 1. Flexible/elastic cloth sleeve 5 is configured to have two upper sections 28 and a main hammock section 32 which are formed when flexible cloth sleeve is configured as described hereinbelow.

Flexible/elastic cloth sleeve 5 is gathered and attached to lower retention clip 24 so that flexible/elastic cloth sleeve is retained by retention clip 24 parallel to longitudinal axis 6 and retaining edges 9 are open to both sides. Flexible/elastic cloth sleeve 5 is further gathered and attached to a horizontal stabilizer 36, as shown in the figures, so that a triangular shape is defined between upper sections 28 and horizontal stabilizer 36. Main hammock section 32 is formed by the remainder of flexible/elastic cloth sleeve, which is suspended from the horizontal stabilizer 36 and which presents retaining edges 9.

In one embodiment of the current invention, each retaining edge 9 assumes a shape of a narrow loop sleeve, with a retaining cord 40 configured respectively therein and each retaining cord having a cord retainer clip 42 attached thereupon to loosen and tighten the retaining cord, as known in the art. Retaining cord 40 may be formed from an elastic or non-elastic material as known in the art.

In embodiments of the current invention a baby (not shown in the figures) is supported lying or leaning within main hammock section 32, positioned in a reclining position, substantially perpendicularly to horizontal stabilizer 36, with either its head or feet located near cord retainer clip 42. In the orientation described hereinabove, main hammock section 32 takes on an approximate shape of a sack, securely caressing the baby, with adjustability of the overall shape and openings as described further hereinbelow.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a detail view of part of baby support subsystem 14, shown in FIG. 3. Apart from differences described below, retaining edge 9, cord retainer clip 42, and cord 40 are identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in FIG. 3, and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove.

In embodiments of the current invention, cord retainer clip 42 may be adjusted to shorten or lengthen cord 40 within retaining edge 9. FIG. 3 represents a longer cord configuration—that of hammock hanging subsystem 14 being in a more “open” configuration, whereas FIG. 2 represents a shorter cord configuration—that of hammock hanging subsystem 14 being in a more “closed” configuration. An open configuration is appropriate for placing the baby inside the main hammock section whereas a closed configuration is appropriate for providing more confinement for the baby once it is placed inside the main hammock section. The cord, furthermore, serves to provide more rigid support at the opening of main hammock section 32 (ie at retaining edge 9) thereby securely counteracting the overall flexibility of the material of flexible/elastic cloth sleeve 5 to securely hold in the baby. Cord retainer clip 42 allows for adjustability of relative closed and open configurations to allow for a range of: sizes of babies, positions of baby (i.e. lying, leaning, etc., as noted hereinabove).

Optionally or additionally, cord retainer clip 42 may be removed, leaving only cord 40. In such a configuration, whereas there is no adjustability, the opening of the main hammock section is generally supported by the retaining cord as described hereinabove.

In another embodiment of the current invention, retaining edges 9 take the form of a bias tape (such as that used in hems of dresses or other clothing, as known in the art—not shown in the figures). When the bias tape is sewn in place, although there is no adjustability of main hammock section 32 the bias tape serves to provide support for the baby located within main hammock section 32.

Embodiments of the current invention typically allow for a substantially stable and secure support of babies up to about 18 months' age—as opposed to limitations of some of the prior art noted hereinabove to babies of up to only about 6 months' age.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A baby hammock apparatus adapted to support a baby in a leaning/lying position, the apparatus comprising: a baby support subsystem having a flexible/elastic cloth sleeve, the flexible/elastic cloth sleeve having a generally cylindrical shape, a longitudinal axis, and two radial edges; a hammock hanging subsystem adapted to provide a secure and substantially vertical connection for the baby support subsystem; and two retaining edges respectively disposed along the two radial edges, with each retaining edge having a cord having a length therein, wherein the length of the cord is adjustable to allow for a range of sizes of babies and positions of the baby to be positioned in and supported in the baby hammock apparatus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible/elastic cloth sleeve is supportable by a lower retention clip, attachable to the hammock hanging subsystem, and by a horizontal stabilizer, which is adapted to define a main hammock section of the flexible/elastic cloth sleeve.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the main hammock section is adapted to support the baby and the main hammock section is further configurable to be suspended beneath the horizontal stabilizer retaining edge.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a cord retainer clip is configured to retain the cord at a point where the cord extends from the retaining edge.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one cord retainer clip is adjustable to alternatively shorten and lengthen the cord length, thereby affording adjustability to the main hammock section, which is further adapted to allow for a range of sizes of babies and positions of the baby to be supported therein.
 6. A baby hammock apparatus adapted to support a baby in a leaning/lying position, the apparatus comprising: a baby support subsystem having a flexible/elastic cloth sleeve, the flexible/elastic cloth sleeve having a generally cylindrical shape, a longitudinal axis, and two radial edges; a hammock hanging subsystem adapted to provide a secure and substantially vertical connection for the baby support subsystem; and two retaining edges respectively disposed along the two radial edges, with each retaining edge comprising a bias tape, wherein the bias tape is adapted to securely support the baby in the hammock apparatus. 